Ride stabilizing system

ABSTRACT

A ride stabilizing system is provided that includes a housing. The housing is formed with a cavity. A bridge is positionable in cavity. The bridge divides the cavity into at least two chambers. A valve is mounted in opposing ends of the housing for injecting variable volumes of gas into at least two chambers. In addition, a port is formed in the bridge for fluid communication between the cavity and a fluid source containing a fluid. At least one piston is included that is slidably positionable in at least two chambers. Each piston is equipped with a leakage control assembly. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, but this abstract is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any claim.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The apparatus and method disclosed in this document pertain generally tocorrecting and dampening undesirable vehicular movement. Moreparticularly, the new and useful stabilizer disclosed and claimed inthis document pertains to an ride stabilizing system. The stabilizer isparticularly, but not exclusively, useful for dampening the ride ofvehicles like skid steer loader vehicles and four-wheel drive frontloaders.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicles like skid steer loader vehicles, often called “bobcats” inthe industry, and four-wheel drive front loaders, and similar vehiclesbearing considerable loads, evidence undesirable movements duringoperation. Undesirable vehicular movements may be caused or induced onvehicles that use limited or no suspension, are out of balance, yet musttraverse irregular surfaces, thus inducing kinetic energy reactionssimilar to an accordion effect, such as bouncing, rocking, and so on.The undesirable movements are disorienting and disconcerting to vehicledrivers, and cause loads carried by such vehicles to further accentuatethe undesirable movements. Suggestions have been made for dampening suchmovements, but none provides the substantially leveled ride that theride stabilizing system shown in this document allows. Accordingly, aneed exists in the industry for a new, useful and improved ridestabilizing system.

SUMMARY

The ride stabilizing system includes a housing that is formed with twochambers. A piston is positionable in each chamber. A unique leakagecontrol system is attached to each piston. The housing is shaped, andincludes apparatus, for selectively injecting variable amounts of gasand fluid into the two chambers. In general, the leakage control systemincludes applicators that contact the inner surface of each chamber.Each applicator is designed to hold a lubricant. The applicators aremounted in ducts formed in the housing. O-rings also are included in theleakage control system.

It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimedsubject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, andthe cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in anumber of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure andco-operation of structure of the ride stabilizing system also willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunctionwith the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.Accordingly, the foregoing has outlined only broadly the more importantfeatures of the invention to better understand the detailed descriptionthat follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. Theride stabilizing system is not limited in application to the details ofconstruction, or to the arrangements of the components, provided in thefollowing description and drawing figures, but is capable of otherembodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Thephraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purposeof description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. Asthose skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which thisdisclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing otherstructures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, includeequivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with thisdisclosure is intended neither to define the ride stabilizing system,which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The novel features of the ride stabilizing system are bestunderstood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection withthe accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of the ride stabilizingsystem;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of components of the ride stabilizing system;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a piston used in the ride stabilizingsystem;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away cross-section view of the ride stabilizing system;

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the ride stabilizing systemwith three chambers; and

FIG. 6 is an example of a vehicle on which the ride stabilizing systemmay be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a ride stabilizing system 10 is provided that inits broadest context includes a housing having at least two chambers. Avalve is mounted in opposing ends of housing for injecting variablevolumes of gas into at least two chambers. In addition, a port is formedin a bridge for fluid communication between cavity and a fluid sourcecontaining a fluid. The ride stabilizing system also includes at leastone piston. The at least one piston is slidably positionable in each ofthe two chambers. Each piston is equipped with a leakage controlassembly.

The leakage control assembly, in its broadest context, includes aplurality of applicators that are positioned to be in contact with theinner surface of the at least two chambers. The plurality of applicatorsis selected from the group of applicators consisting of applicators,blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes, and sponge-type devices.The leakage control system also includes one or more lubricants infusedin plurality of applicators. A plurality of peripheral ducts formed inthe piston, and one or more o-rings engageable with the plurality ofperipheral ducts.

More specifically, and in cross-reference between FIGS. 1, 2, and 4,ride stabilizing system 10 is provided that in its broadest contextincludes a housing 12. Housing 12 is formed with a cavity 14. A bridge16 is positionable in cavity 14. Bridge 16 divides cavity 14 into atleast two chambers 18 a,b. A valve 20 is mounted in opposing ends 22 a,bof housing 12 for injecting variable volumes of gas into at least twochambers 18 a,b. In addition, a port 24, shown by cross-referencebetween FIGS. 1 and 4 diagrammatically, is formed in bridge 16 for fluidcommunication between cavity 14 and a fluid source containing a fluid(not shown). Ride stabilizing system 10 also includes at least onepiston 26. At least one piston 26 is slidably positionable in at leasttwo chambers 18 a,b. Piston 26 is equipped with a leakage controlassembly 28 as shown best by cross-reference between FIGS. 3 and 4.

Leakage control assembly 28 is mounted on each piston 26 a,b as shownbest by cross-reference between FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Pistons 26 a,b arecylindrical bodies 30 a,b dimensioned and shaped to be slidablyinsertable in each of the at least two chambers 18 a,b. Cylindricalbodies 30 a,b have a leading end 32 and a trailing end 34, as shown bestby reference to FIG. 4. Cylindrical bodies 30 a,b are dimensioned to beapproximately coincident with the dimension D¹ of each of at least twochambers 18 a,b. As shown, each chamber 18 a,b includes an inner surface36.

As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each piston 26 a,b has a groove 38circumferentially formed in pistons 26 a,b adjacent trailing end 32 ofcylindrical bodies 30 a,b. The distance D² between the center-line ofgroove 38 and trailing end 34 of cylindrical bodies 30 a,b is not alimitation of ride stabilizing system 10. Distance D² may vary dependingon the movement sought to be controlled and stabilized by the use of oneor more installations of ride stabilizing system 10 on a vehicle 42,which is shown for purposes of enhancing the description of ridestabilizing system 10 in FIG. 5.

As also shown by cross-reference between FIG. 2-4, leakage controlassembly 28 includes an annular closure device 42. Annular closuredevice 42 is mounted in groove 38. Annular closure device 42 iscontactable with inner surface 36 of chambers 18 a,b. In one embodimentof ride stabilizing system 10, annular closure device 42 includes one ormore applicators 44. One or more applicators 44 are contactable withinner surface 36 of the chambers 18 a,b As will be evident to oneskilled in the art, one or more applicators 44 may be any of a varietyof applicators, including blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes,and sponge-type devices to identify a few. In one embodiment of leakagecontrol assembly 28, one or more applicators 44 are formed from anitrile material. In another embodiment of leakage control assembly, oneor more applicators 44 are formed for holding a lubricant, such as aTeflon® lubricant.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment of leakage controlassembly 28 includes a slot 50. Slot 50 is circumferentially formed incylindrical body 30 adjacent leading end 32 of cylindrical body 30. Thedistance D³ between the center line of slot 50 and leading end 34 ofcylindrical body 30 is not a limitation of ride stabilizing system 10.Distance D³ may vary depending on the movement sought to be controlledor dampened by the use of one or more installations of ride stabilizingsystem 10 on vehicle 40. In one embodiment of ride stabilizing system10, a sealing ring assemblage 52 is installed in slot 50. Sealing ringassemblage 52, in one embodiment of leakage control assembly 28,includes one or more applicators 44′. One or more applicators 44′ arecontactable with inner surface 36 of chambers 18 a,b. As will be evidentto one skilled in the art, one or more applicators 44′ may be any of avariety of applicators, including blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees,brushes, and sponge-type devices to identify a few. Specifically, in oneembodiment as shown in FIG. 3, applicator 44′ is a polyurethane insertformed with a serrated cross-sectional edge 54 contactable with theinner surface 36 of chambers 18 a,b. In another embodiment of a sealingring assemblage 52, sealing ring assemblage 52 also includes one or moreo-rings 48 a,b.

As perhaps best shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2 and 3, oneembodiment of leakage control assembly 28 includes an indenture 56interposed in cylindrical body 30 between groove 38 and slot 50. TheDistance D⁴, as shown in FIG. 3, between the center line of indenture 56and trailing end 38 of cylindrical body 30 is not a limitation of ridestabilizing system 10. Distance D⁴ may vary depending on the movement tobe controlled or dampened by the use of one or more installations ofride stabilizing system 10 on vehicle 40. A lubric sleeve 58, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, is set in indenture 56. Lubric sleeve 58 includes oneor more applicators 44 contactable with inner surface 36 of hollowhousing 12. As shown perhaps best in FIG. 3, which is but one embodimentof leakage control assembly 28, lubric sleeve 58 includes one or moreapplicators 44 formed substantially like a rectangular sponge forholding a lubricant. In another embodiment, perhaps best shown in FIG.4, one or more applicators 44 defines a reservoir 60 for holding alubricant (not shown)

In operation, therefore, leakage control assembly 28 of ride stabilizingsystem 10 solves lubriscosity problems not solved by other suggestionsfor dampening a vehicle ride using apparatus similar to ride stabilizingsystem 10, including what are known generally as accumulators. Thelubricants used in association with leakage control assembly 28 of ridestabilizing system 10 eliminates the need for an opening through thecylindrical body 30 of pistons 26 a,b or in any other structural featureof ride stabilizing system 10. In addition, leakage control assembly 28of ride stabilizing system 10 includes a variety of leakage controlredundancies—including at least annular closure device 42 mounted ingroove 38, sealing ring assemblage 52 installed in slot 50, and lubricsleeve 58 set in indenture 56 interposed in cylindrical body 30 betweengroove 38 and slot 50—for forming a reliable seal and insuringimmiscibility of gases and fluids during operation of ride stabilizingsystem 10. As will be evident to one skilled in the art, the design andstructural cooperation of leakage control assembly 28 is responsive toleakage problems induced by gravity. The use of two opposing chambers 18a,b, in combination with leakage control assembly 28, is contrary to allprior teaching in the field.

FIG. 2 shows the various components of ride stabilizing system 10. Eachcomponent is shown only for purposes of adding to the clarity of thedetailed description. In one embodiment of ride stabilizing system 10,housing 12 is a unitary monolithically formed body. In anotherembodiment, ride stabilizing system 10 is manufactured of discreteelements and components assembled by, for example, welding, as shown inFIG. 2.

Ride stabilizing system 10 shown in drawing FIGS. 1-4 includes at leastone embodiment of ride stabilizing system 10, but as is now evident toone skilled in the art, the embodiments shown are not intended to beexclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusiveembodiments. Claim elements and steps in this document have beennumbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Claimelements and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readabilityand understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not beconsidered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and stepsin the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended tocover the structures described as performing the recited function thatinclude not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, inthe environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and ascrew may be equivalent structures.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, ride stabilizing system10 is shown as a ride stabilizing system 100. Ride stabilizing system100 includes a third chamber called the compensatory chamber 102.Compensatory chamber 102 is useful in overcoming a number of problems,including cavitation. The term “cavitation” as used in this documentdescribes at least the condition of the formation of partial vacuums ina liquid caused by moving solid bodies or by sound waves. Cavitation mayinduce pitting and wearing away of surfaces of components as the partialvacuums collapse in the liquid. As is known to those skilled in the art,cavitation is associated with compressible fluids and the tendency ofthe density of compressible fluids to change as any other fluidproperties change. During flows of compressible fluids, shock waves mayoccur, resulting in choking, or cavitation, under which furtherdownstream conditions cannot be transmitted upstream.

Problems associated with cavitation may arise within one or morecomponents of an interconnected vehicular fluid system of the kind foundin complex, heavy-duty vehicles of the type shown in FIG. 6. Valves aresubject to cavitation, and may wear, generate excessive noise andvibrations, and even lose capacity to function as a valve. Compensatorychamber 102, as shown in FIG. 5 and marked Chamber 3, minimizescavitation and other problems by controlling pressure differentials andchanges of liquids in an interconnected vehicular fluid system 104. Toassist in controlling cavitation, compensatory chamber 102 is acomparatively low volume chamber, Chamber 2 is a comparatively lowvolume chamber, and chamber 18 a, marked Chamber 1 in FIG. 5, is acomparatively high volume chamber.

As shown, ride stabilizing system 100 also includes one or more valves106 a-c. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, at least one valve 106 b isside-mounted on ride stabilizing system 100, meaning that valve 106 ismountable over an inlet port 108 formed through the wall 110 of housing12. A spacer ring 112 is provided whose opening (not shown) iscoincident with a longitudinal axis through inlet port 108 for fluidcommunication with chamber 18 b that is marked as Chamber 2 in FIG. 5.Spacer ring 112 also secures valve 106 b on ride stabilizing system 100and on valve stem 113. As also shown in FIG. 5, Chamber 3 of ridestabilizing system 100 includes a second fluid inlet 114. A fluid lumen116, having a proximal end 118 and a distal end 120, is provided.Proximal end 118 is inserted into second fluid inlet 114.

As further shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, fluid lumen 116 is part ofa tube 122 having a leading end 124 and a trailing end 126 is included.Tube 122 may be any of a number of fluid-conveying tubes typicallyassociated with interconnected vehicular fluid system 104 of vehicle 40.Trailing end 126 of tube 122 is connectable to second fluid inlet 114.Leading end 126 of tube 122 may lead to one or more fluid containingdevices 128 a,b. Fluid containing devices 128 a,b may be pumps, valves,compressors, pressure adjusters, volume controllers, and similardevices. To alleviate undesirable cavitation and related problems withincomponents of interconnected vehicular fluid system 104 of vehicle 40,unwanted fluid pressure differentials and changes may be controlled byflowing fluid downstream through tube 122 to Chamber 1, and upstreamwhen the fluid flow has been controlled.

1. A ride stabilizing system for a vehicle, comprising: a housing formedwith two chambers; a piston movably positionable in each of the twochambers, wherein the piston includes a peripherally mounted leakagecontrol system; and means for injecting variable amounts of gas andfluid into the two chambers.
 2. A ride stabilizing system for a vehicleas recited in claim 1, wherein the two chambers include an innersurface.
 3. A ride stabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim2, wherein the peripherally mounted leakage control system includes atleast one applicator contactable with the inner surface.
 4. A ridestabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim 3, wherein the atleast one applicator is selected from the group of applicatorsconsisting of applicators, blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees,brushes, and sponge-type devices.
 5. A ride stabilizing system for avehicle as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one applicator isformed for holding a lubricant.
 6. A ride stabilizing system for avehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein the peripherally mounted leakagecontrol system includes a plurality of peripheral ducts.
 7. A ridestabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim 6, furthercomprising one or more gaskets engageable with the ducts.
 8. A ridestabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim 7, furthercomprising one or more applicators insertable in the ducts andcontactable with the inner surface of the two chambers.
 9. A ridestabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim 8, wherein theinjecting means includes a valve mounted in opposing ends of the housingfor injecting variable volumes of gas into the two chambers.
 10. A ridestabilizing system for a vehicle as recited in claim 9, wherein theinjecting means includes a port formed in the housing for fluidcommunication between the two chambers and a fluid source.
 11. Astabilizer, comprising: a housing formed with a cavity; a plurality ofchambers formed in the cavity, wherein at least one of the plurality ofchambers is formed for cavitation control; a plurality of valves mountedon the housing; a port formed in housing for fluid communication betweenthe cavity and a fluid source; a piston slidably positionable in one ormore of the plurality of chambers; and a leakage control assemblymounted on the piston.
 12. A stabilizer as recited in claim 11, whereinthe plurality of chambers includes a variable gas void.
 13. A stabilizeras recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of chambers includes avariable fluid void.
 14. A stabilizer as recited in claim 11, whereinthe leakage control system is peripherally mounted on the piston.
 15. Astabilizer as recited in claim 11, wherein the leakage control systemincludes a plurality of applicators contactable with the at least twochambers.
 16. A stabilizer as recited in claim 15, wherein the pluralityof applicators is selected from the group of applicators consisting ofapplicators, blades, spreaders, wipers, squeegees, brushes, andsponge-type devices.
 17. A stabilizer as recited in claim 11, whereinthe leakage control system includes one or more lubricants infused inthe plurality of applicators.
 18. A stabilizer as recited in claim 11,wherein the leakage control system includes a plurality of peripheralducts formed in the piston.
 19. A stabilizer as recited in claim 18,further comprising one or more o-rings engageable with the plurality ofperipheral ducts.
 20. A piston assembly for an accumulator, comprising:a cylindrical body slidably insertable in the accumulator, the bodyhaving a leading end and a trailing end; a groove circumferentiallyformed in the cylindrical body adjacent the trailing end of thecylindrical body; an annular closure device mounted in the groove; aslot circumferentially formed in the cylindrical body adjacent theleading end of the cylindrical body; a sealing ring assemblage installedin the slot; an indenture interposed in the cylindrical body between thegroove and the slot; and a lubric sleeve set in the indenture.
 21. Apiston assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the accumulator is ahollow housing having an inner surface and an outer surface.
 22. Apiston assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the annular closuredevice includes one or more applicators contactable with the innersurface of the accumulator.
 23. A piston assembly as recited in claim22, wherein the one or more applicators is selected from the group ofapplicators consisting of applicators, blades, spreaders, wipers,squeegees, brushes, and sponge-type devices.
 24. A piston assembly asrecited in claim 23, wherein the one or more applicator is formed from anitrile material.
 25. A piston assembly as recited in claim 24, whereinthe one or more applicators is formed for holding a lubricant.
 26. Apiston assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein the lubricant is aTeflon® lubricant.
 27. A piston assembly as recited in claim 20, whereinthe annular closure device includes one or more gaskets engageable withthe groove.
 28. A piston assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein thesealing ring assemblage includes one or more applicators.
 29. A pistonassembly as recited in claim 28, wherein the one or more applicators isa polyurethane insert formed with a serrated cross-sectional edgecontactable with the inner surface of the hollow housing.
 30. A pistonassembly as recited in claim 20, further comprising a gasket engageablewith the slot.
 31. A piston assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein thelubric sleeve includes one or more applicators contactable with theinner surface of the hollow housing.
 32. A piston assembly as recited inclaim 20, wherein the indenture and the one or more applicator define areservoir for holding a lubricant.
 33. A method for dampening vehicularmotion, comprising: determining the ride characteristics of the vehicle;designing a ride stabilizing system for the vehicle; manufacturing oneor more ride stabilizing systems for installation on a vehicle; andinstalling the one or more ride stabilizing systems on the vehicle. 34.A method for dampening vehicular motion as recited in claim 33, whereinthe designing step includes the substeps of: forming a housing toinclude a hollow cavity; installing a bridge within the hollow cavityfor dividing the cavity into at least two chambers; mounting a valve inopposing ends of the housing for injecting variable volumes of gas intothe at least two chambers; forming a port in the bridge for fluidcommunication between the cavity and a fluid source; shaping a pistonfor slideable positioning in the at least two chambers; and mounting aleakage control assembly on the piston.
 35. A method for dampeningvehicular motion as recited in claim 34, wherein the housing formingstep includes the substep of shaping the at least two chambers intovarying dimensions.
 36. A method for dampening vehicular motion asrecited in claim 35, wherein the piston shaping step includes thesubsteps of: forming the piston with a leading end and a trailing end;installing the piston in the housing for trailing end contact with thefluid; and installing the piston in the housing for leading end contactwith a gas.
 37. A method for dampening vehicular motion as recited inclaim 36, wherein the leakage control assembly mounting step includesthe substeps of: forming a plurality of ducts in the piston; mounting aplurality of applicators in the plurality of ducts; dimensioning theplurality of applicators for contact with the sides of the at least twochambers; and placing at least one o-rings in the plurality of ducts.